Here's chapter two! I'm writing ch 3 right now, so it might be up later today! If not, then it'll definitely be up by tomorrow. If I make any spelling or grammar mistakes, don't hesitate to let me know. Please read, review, favorite, and/or follow!

Arthur and Merlin had been chatting for a while, neither wanting to go home just yet. After a lot of talking about whatever came to mind, Arthur decided to ask Merlin something serious.

"Wh-why are y-y-you h-here?"

Merlin paled for a moment before regaining his composure. "I, uh, needed a break. I needed to go somewhere I can do whatever I want. My mom doesn't let me use my gift. She says she doesn't want people to find out. That's why we moved."

"Wh-what's y-your g-g-gift, M-Merlin?" Arthur asked, genuinely curious. He also wanted to change the subject, as Merlin didn't seem too comfortable talking about his family. Arthur could tell the other boy was hiding something, but he didn't want to pry.

"Want me to show you?" Merlin offered, and Arthur nodded enthusiastically.

Merlin held his hand out in front of him, and Arthur stared eagerly, waiting for something to happen. Suddenly, Merlin's eyes turned gold, and a flame formed in his palm. Arthur was terrified, not wanting Merlin to burn himself. Merlin chuckled a little and placed a finger to his lips, gesturing for Arthur to be quiet.

The flame in Merlin's hand slowly morphed into the shape of a lion, and when it roared, a spurt of flames spread from its mouth. "Get it?" Merlin questioned, looking up, and Arthur met his gaze. "It's Aslan, from your book. He's made of fire because he can defeat the Ice Queen."

If it were physically possible, Arthur was sure that his jaw would be touching the grass he was sitting on. Little did he know Merlin had more tricks up his sleeve. The boy's eyes shone gold once again, and Fire Aslan jumped off of his hand. The little lion walked over to Arthur, growing rapidly as he did so. By the time he hopped in his lap, the little lion was the size of a pet cat. The blonde was expecting pain, but he only felt comforting warmth radiating from the Fire Aslan. It started to purr, and all Arthur wanted to do was pet it. He looked to Merlin, who had seemingly read his thoughts. Merlin gestured for Arthur to go ahead, and he slowly brought his hand down upon the fire. The same comforting warmth on his lap now blossomed in his hands, and Arthur didn't think he'd ever been happier than he was in that moment.

He didn't know how long he'd sat there petting Fire Aslan, but when he looked up, Merlin was falling asleep where he stood. Arthur chuckled softly. "W-we c-can g-g-go h-home n-now, if y-you w-want."

Merlin looked up and smiled. "So you decided to go home tonight?" Arthur looked down in shame, and Merlin shook his head. "I didn't mean to look at your stuff, but even if you were going to run away, you'd need much more than that. How old are you, anyway?"

"I'm ten, but my birthday's in a few days," Arthur answered. He knew his birthday wouldn't be a big deal. His father never threw him a party, and he's never had any friends, so it never made any sense.

"Cool! I just turned eleven the other day! That means we're both going into 6th grade next month!" Arthur nodded. He was scared of middle school because he's heard that everything changes. "Where do you live?"

Arthur pointed in the general direction of his house, and Merlin nodded, pointing in the opposite direction.

"I live over there. We should arrange a time to meet here, like, every other day or something," Merlin suggested.

Arthur smiled and proposed, "M-maybe a-after w-we g-g-go to b-bed. I s-snuck out t-today. Wh-what about y-you?"

"Yeah, me too. Think you could do it again?" Merlin asked.

"E-easy," Arthur smiled.

"Okay then, see you at the same time the day after tomorrow?"

"Y-yeah."

Merlin and Arthur stood up, and Arthur wanted to hug the other boy to thank him for all he'd done, but he wasn't sure if Merlin would want him to. That it, until Merlin reached his arms out and hugged him. Arthur couldn't remember ever being hugged by anyone else. He was certain he had been when he was little, but not since then, and definitely not by his father.

He stood there awkwardly for a moment before realizing he should probably be hugging Merlin back.

The two separated, ready to head in opposite directions when a small roar from something near their feet reminded them of Fire Aslan.

Merlin smiled, saying, "You can keep him, Arthur. Well, he'll be sort of like a statue when I'm not around because I can't keep him moving very easily from far away. But you should bring him every time we meet here, and we can play with him!"

Arthur reached down and picked up Fire Aslan, holding him as your would a cat. He smiled a wide smile, and nodded, saying, "G-goodnight, M-Merlin!"

"Goodnight Arthur!" Merlin called, his grin rivaling Arthur's own. Arthur was confused; Merlin seemed to be happy simply because Arthur was! His father was always mad when Arthur was happy.

Arthur waved to Merlin, turning around to go home. As he walked, Fire Aslan's movements became slower and stiffer until finally he settled into a sleeping position.

When Arthur reached his house, he slipped in unnoticed by his sleeping father. He crept into his room and took off his backpack, putting the chips and flashlight away. He took off his jacket and dumped it on the floor; ready for the next time he goes to the park to see Merlin. He hoped they would still be friends when school starts, because then Arthur would have someone to talk to! He usually sat on his own or talked to the teacher.

Arthur quickly got ready for bed, placing Fire Aslan on his bedside table. As his eyes drifted shut, the boy thought of only happy things like his book and Merlin. That night he had the best sleep he'd had in all of his ten years.